Flash-light apparatus for photographic purposes.



PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

J. F. GUIMARAES. 'FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIO PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1900.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

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"No.745,052. I r PATENTED 1101 41903." J. F. GUIMARAES.

, FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC-PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1900. NO MODEL. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES Patented November 24, 1903.

PATENT Quince.

JOSE FERREIRA GUIMARIXES, OF BOI S-COLOMBES, FRANCE.

SPEGIFICATIQN' forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 745,052, dated November 24, 1903.

Application filed January 2, 1900. Serial No. 185. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osn FERREIRA GUI- MARKES, a subject of the King of Portugal, residing at No. 17 Rue de la Paix, Bois-Oolombes, in the department of Seine and Re.- public of France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Flash Light Apparatus for Photographic Purposes, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in flash light apparatus for photographic purposes of the type set forth in my French patent, No. 289,373. In this type of apparatus a brilliant flash of light is produced by bringing into contact with a colorless flame a powder containing magnesium or equivalent highly-combustible and luminous material, the composition of which powder forms no part of the present invention.

The invention set forth in my French patent aforesaid possesses certain drawbacks in practical use, notably in the means for collecting the fume from the luminous material and also in neutralizing the effect of the dazzling flash of light upon the countenance of the sitter. It is found that such an intense illumination projected upon the face of the person in comparative darkness causes him to alter the expression of the face, and especially of the eyes, to the detriment of the photograph obtained. My present invention provides a means for obviating these drawbacks.

The apparatus as now constructed is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of the complete apparatus. Fig. 2 is a. front View of the complete apparatus with the pipe conveying the smoke partially in section. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show, respectively, in transverse section on a large scale the detail of the lighting arrangement in three diiferent positions. Fig. 3 shows these arrangements before the operation, Fig. 4. after the lowering of the igniter, and Fig. 5 after the operation is completed. Fig. 6 is a transverse section in full size of all the light-producing parts.

The apparatus comprises-- (66) a long metallic rod 1 with a rim placed horizontally.

(b) a metallic tube 2 of the same length as the rod 1 and open at 2 throughout its whole length. This tube is filled with asbestos 2 (a) a cover 3 of partially-circular section capable of fitting exactly over the upper part of the tube 2, so as to close the longitudinal opening 2 This lid, which is lined inside with asbestos cloth 3, is fixed to the end of two arms 4:, each hinged to an intermediate piece 5, screwed or riveted on each of the metal blades 6, which support at the same time the rod 1 and the tube 2. These blades 6 are bent at their ends, so as to be able to hook onto the knob 7 of the support. In order to explain the operation of this essential portion of my invention, I will assume the parts to be placed in their first position. (Shown on a larger scale in Fig. In this position it will be seen that the whole combination formed by the rod 1, the tube 2, and the blade 6 is so arranged that the flat part of the rod 1 is perfectly horizontal. This position is maintained by a support 8, its lower extremity engaging in a slot'9 of the piece 14, in which is arranged a small extensible air-reservoir 10, formed of a fixed tube and a movable sheath, which reservoir is joined to a flexible tube 11 and capable of being inflated with air by pressure upon a rubber ball 12, placed at the other end of the tube 11. On the other hand, the cover 3 is raised and supported by the bolt 13, placed in a suitable manner for this purpose. Such is the first position of my lighting device. Before placing the metallic tube 2 and its subsidiary parts thus with a view to operation it must be carefully disengaged from the rest of the apparatus and the necessary quantity of powder placed all along the rod 1 and a small quantity of spirit poured into the tube 2 throughout its entire length, so as to wet the asbestos. Everything having been replaced, as described above, the apparatus is ready to operate. For producing the light it is only necessary at the desired moment and after having previously lighted the spirit in the tube 2 to press the ball 12. The reservoir 10 lengthens and projects the support 8 outside the slot 9. The lower part of the device being now no longer supported drops, and while doing so the powder placed on the rod 1 slips off and falls on the tube 2, the spirit in which is burning. It is instantly set alight 'and produces the intense illumination desired. At this point of the operation the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4. The movable partin dropping has likewise caused the lid 3 to drop, which then comes out of engagement with the bolt 13 and being no longer supported is thrown forward. This lid fits then onto the tube 2 and instantly extinguishes the flame. The different parts are then in the position shown in Fig. 5.

The light producing mechanism, constructed substantially as above described, is suspended in a suitable manner at the back of the chamber 15 and inside this latter at a suitable distance above the frame 17, on which the blind 18 is drawn down. Beneath the frame 17 is arranged a movable sash 19, having a blue glass 19. The sash 19 is attached at 19 to the frame of the apparatus, and duringthe operation it is raised and hooked at 19 against the front part of-the chamber 15. During the preliminary operations of'charging and of preparation which precede the posing this frame 19 is vunhooked from 19 and folds back, revolving upon the hinges 19 and resting against the uprights of the frame. For this purpose also cloth bands 20 are fixed at the sides of the chamber 15. At the back the sash 19 with blue glass is hinged at a certain distance beneath the chamber 15 for the purpose of leaving a free space through which the necessary quantity of air for the combustion can be introduced. "The lower blind 18, forming the bottom of the smokechamber, is formed of wooden slats glued to some textile material. It is fixed at one of its ends at 18 to the chamber and can be extended and completely closes the lower opening, fitting to the edges of the frame 17. r the commencement of the operation this blind 18 is rolled round a roller 18 and held thus at the top of the opening by means of the pin 21, which will be described later on. The upper shutter 22 is articulated to the upper rear end of the smoke-chamber 15, and it can open by falling down in the interior of the said chamber. In its closed position this shutter 22 is applied against the upper edges of the chamber 15. The shutter 22 is operated by the cord 23, which passes over a pulley above the chamber 15 and which supports at its other end a counterweight 25.

The device operates as follows: The cord 24, detachably attached to the releasing-pin 26, rises along the back of the chamber 15, then returns toward the front, (passing over pulleys suitably arranged,) and bears the counterweight 25. To this counterweight 25 is attached another cord, 23, which is joined to the upper lid 22-and afterward is prolonged in order to be attached at its other end to a pin 21, which, placed in a hole of the frame 17, keeps the blind 18 raised when it is rolled up. The apparatus is then set as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The impulse given by the rubber ball is transmitted through the tube 11 and operates as described close at the moment of the operation.

above for effecting the projection of the magnesium powder and its combustion and then its immediate extinction. When the rubber ball is squeezed, the impulse causes the fall of the cover 3. This in falling upon the tube 2 extinguishes the flame and arrests the combustion. In consequence of these movements the cord 24, and consequently also the counterweight 25, are released. Counterweight 25 then acts on the cord 23 in order to shut the upper shutter 22 (which byits sudden move ment produces the aspiration of the gases) and to take out the pin 21. The blind 18, being no longer supported, then unrolls by reason of its'own weight, and the chamber 15 is then as closed at the top as at the bottom, thus inclosing the smoke produced by the combustion perfectly.

The releasing mechanism alluded to above consists of a pin 26, fixed behind the piece 14 and passed through a hinged blade 27 behind this said piece 14. This blade is in its lower part provided with a ring 28, which passes freely through the piece 14: and projects in front exactly to the place where the tube abuts. The cord is simply held onto the pin 26 by a ring, but may easily be detached by simply slipping it along the pin. It is obvious that when the principal piece producing the light falls into its lower position it strikes against the ring, moving it back, together with the blade 27, which then pushes the cord and releases it-from the pin.

A small door 44: is arranged on each of the sides of the chamber 15 for the purpose of lighting the spirit after all the preparations are finished and the sitter has been posed.

By means of the above-described arrangements the smoke is perfectly retained without any of it escaping into the room. Moreover, the blue glass interposed between the light and the subject possesses considerable advantages. First, although it does not absorb the actinic rays it diminishes the brilliance, which would otherwise be very disagreeable and cause the eyes of the subject to y means of this glass, on the contrary, the'eyes remainunaffected when the illumination is produced. Thus the glaring light on the face of the sitter is obviated, also the defects rethey are easily removed after the operation by simply spongin'g with water.

All the operations described above cooperate to produce the flash-light pecessary for ICC photographic operations and for retaining in the chamber 15 the smoke resulting from the production of this light. The apparatus also comprises a flexible tube 16, projecting from one of the walls of the chamber 15 and connected to a'flue, chimney, or any other exit 46 in the wall of the room, whereby smoke is automatically discharged outside.

In order that the apparatus may be moved about as desired, according to the requirements of the photographic operations, the tube 16 is constructed as shown. It is made in accordion form in order to be able to lengthen and shorten it as desired without materially decreasing its section. 1t is preferably fastened by the rings 29 to a cord 30, attached,on one hand, to the side of the chamber above the tube and passing, on the other hand, over a pulley 31, fixed to the wall near the opening communicating with the outside. The counterweight 32 keeps the cord constantly extended. It will be seen that by this means the apparatus is freely supported in all positions while maintaining communication with the outside.

The drawings show the tube proceeding from one of the sides of the chamber. Of course it could equally proceed from the other side or from the back or top of the chamber.

The whole apparatus is mounted on a wooden stand so constructed that the flashing device may be easily placed in each case at the desired height, as in manyphotographic processes it is desirable to illuminate the object by two apparatuses set at a certain angle to one another, varying according to circumstances.

What I claim is 1. In photographic flash-light apparatus, a chamber, a pneumatically-controlled flashlight mechanism in said chamber, an upper aspiration-shutter at the top of said chamber, a shutter at the bottom of said chamber and a screen transparent to actinic light-rays before said chamber.

2. In photographic flash-light apparatus, a chamber, a pneumatically-controlled flashlight mechanism in said chamber, an upper aspiration-shutter at the top of said chamber, a shutter at the bottom of said chamber and an inclined blue-glass screen beneath the lower aperture of said chamber.

3. In photographic flash-light apparatus, a chamber, a perforated top and bottom to said chamber, the hinged upper shutter 22, the under frame 17, the roller-blind l8 engaging at its edges with said frame, the light-screen 19, and means for producing a flash-light within said chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSE FERREIRA GUIMARAES.

\Vitnesses:

HENRI BLoMIs, EDWARD P. MACLEAN. 

